What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.
Can I Exist by MISSIO.
~~~

The Ultimate Lifeform.

He'd been referred to that since even before his awakening. His creator, Gerald Robotnik commonly had acknowledged him with that title instead of his name. He was a hedgehog created to be the perfect weapon for the man's rightful thirst for revenge. His granddaughter, in her final moments, had only further stressed this goal.

At least, that's what Snively had informed him. Suspicious, he was shown little documentation of Gerald's wishes- in his own words. G.U.N had taken his granddaughter- his entire world due to their cowardliness and shame for giving permission to the risky project. Him.

Was it rightful revenge, though?

"You don't want to do this hun. Don't listen to Eggman."

Ruby eyes dropped to horribly ruined brown material in his hands. A needle and some string lay over it, but it was beyond hope in repairs. Curious. It was ashy, mucky and rather disastrous- yet that hedgehog 'Eggman' despised so much clearly had held it dear to him.

Eggman. Pah. He wasn't listening to the fool. He was merely using the madman to reach his own goals. He wanted the world to burn- Robotnik wished to control it.

An image of slumped, repetitive 'Robians' ran through his mind. Robotisization. A cruel fate for mobians across the planet. If anything Shadow was merciful.

"But these are good people!"

He slipped the needle through the heavily torn material. Pointless, but perhaps salvageable.

Why bother? All would be robots under Eggman's reign anyhow.

Those green eyes looked absolutely shattered, though.

He didn't seem selfish. He didn't fit Snively's description of the world. He let Shadow go.

An odd twinge poked his heart. He had assisted in burning Knothole to ash. A frown. That wasn't the plan. It was a simple retrieval scheme, but transformed into something far more...horrid, quite frankly.

Metal Sonic was for backup. If Shadow knew the robot would start setting fires he wouldn't have....

No. It doesn't matter. Knothole burning is simply the beginning of Mobius' fate. A deserved one. A one long overdue. He wanted to destroy it all anyway- so a small village didn't matter. It was his purpose after all.

Heavy stomping cut passed his thoughts and Shadow flicked his fingers, making the loosely mended craft on his lap vanish. He stood with crossed arms just as Omega entered. The machine had been with Snively, but-

"You don't seem pleased."

"We failed the mission."

"We did what we had to."

"It was unnecessary."

Omega seemed to hesitate. "We had to enforce what we could. Doctor Robotnik trusted us with Knothole's downfall."

"Knuckles trusted Eggman. He was betrayed, of course."

Shadow frowned. "The Doctor discarded you. The one time you're let out of your imprisonment you fail at the one thing he asks. He won't be so merciful this time."

"You failed too."

"My purpose is far beyond serving him. Yours could be too."

"I was built to-."

The aircraft trembled.

Shadow held out a hand. "Break from his chains."

"Only a fool would-."

A thud and the pair looked to approaching steps. Metal Sonic, without even a glance, passed them and pointed towards the aircraft's back doors. Their gazes followed and with groans, the doors pulled open- letting evening light pour in.

"We're here." Snively informed from behind and shuffled passed.

Shadow watched Omega and Metal Sonic follow the man at his sides. The remaining Badniks from the previous fight trailed afterward before he chose to step out onto soft grass.

A meadow. A vast forest stood at his left and small squeaks from behind made him turn- landing on nervously peering little blue creatures. They were hidden behind rocks that outlined a small pool.

"Shadow!"

The voice was powerful. Arrogant. Demanding. Shadow watched the blue animals, discreetly held a finger to his lips prior to marching towards the command.

"Doctor."

The other side of the meadow held a grande, ancient stone shrine. Distant mountains peaked over it's top, highlighted by the lowering sun. But something far more radiating, spectacular and formidable stood behind a victoriously grinning man in chains.

"I see you're just as excited as I am. This, Shadow, is just the thing we need."

Curiosity was evident on him. "Go on."

It was magnificent. He could swear it's blossoming warmth was calling to him somehow. Something about it felt...familiar. Welcomed and...oddly connected.

"The Master Emerald. It's the most powerful object in the entire world. With it, we can do far more than use it to power a mere nuke-."

"What?"

Shadow looked to the voice. A brutally beaten armadillo, tied and on his knees, glared from beside the shrine. Badniks surrounded him and a wide eyed, battered flying squirrel.

"Who are they?" He demanded.

Doctor Robotnik waved a hand dismissively. "Some part-time guardians. They won't bother us."

"You hurt them."

"I didn't. My Badniks handled them. Focus up, Shadow. Now, I expertly succeeded in my part of the plan." Robotnik stepped down onto the grass.

"What about you?"

"Knothole is no more."

"And the Freedom Fighters?"

Snively jumped in, nervously smiling. "They...escaped, Sir. B-but we can-!"

Beside the Master Emerald, Orbot and Cubot flinched and looked away upon the little man falling from a firm slap. He rubbed his cheek and glared after Robotnik when the emperor stepped over him.

"I'm tired of you failing me, Snively."

"I wasn't the only-."

Robotnik whirled, spit dancing onto the grass as he yelled. "Coward!" He pointed towards Omega. "You useless, wasteful piece of junk! Don't think you're slipping by me."

With a flick of his fingers, Metal Sonic swiftly lifted Snively by his collar and marched to squeeze Omega's arm.

"I'll deal with the pair of you later." An inhale and he was politely smiling at Shadow- gesturing for the stiff hedgehog to join his side.

"If we're going to do this, we need to clean up after ourselves."

"What do you mean?"

"Prison Island holds the majority of G.U.N's supplies and numbers. They kept you captive there, but you weren't the only one."

"You mean Sonic." Shadow tensed from Robotnik resting a hand on his shoulder, guiding him towards the Master Emerald.

"Pah, not that insufferable rat. It doesn't matter who. What's important is that Gun has their hands full. With their focus on the island, we can move forward more freely."

"I'm not following, Doctor."

Robotnik, gleefully grinning, pulled out a small controller from his breast pocket. A cylinder thing with a red button.

"Without Prison Island, G.U.N doesn't stand a chance."

Shadow's eyes widened. "You don't mean-."

"Ho ho ho! Oh I do! Whilst me and Snively came to rescue you, I sent some of my Badniks to plant explosives around the island!"

Standing beside the Master Emerald, Shadow watched the absolute madman laugh in almost hysterical joy. His inhibitors glowed.

"You see, Shadow, with the simple press of a button-." He waved his controller. "This button! Prison Island will drown and become no more."

—————

Seaside City was vastly known for it's busy docks and wonderful beaches. Once flooding with tourists, Robotnik's reign proved to make the city far more paranoid and strict. Like the other bustling locations in Mobius, citizens were required to carry ID in order to enter or leave and had a set curfew.

Knowledgeable of this, Charles brought the Tornado X to land atop one of the larger docks. The city was quiet and empty- all citizens residing in their homes for curfew. It had been a silent travel.

So Amy's voice did startle her friends. "I hope The Chaotix get here before we're caught."

Sally jumped down from the plane. "We won't be here for long either way."

"Good." Knuckles followed her, tone sharp. "I can't believe we're not going straight after Eggman."

"Without a plan? Oh yeah, good idea." Rotor argued.

Tails took Cream's hand and helped her down. "Guys let's not fight, okay?"

"He's on my island. He's going to take the Master Emerald and it'll fall."

"We won't let tha' happen, Suga'." Bunnie assured, helping the wounded Antoine stand.

"How can we be sure it won't? Today isn't exactly our day."

"Eggman won today. But compared to our victories that's-." Chuck started.

"He wins a lot...." Cream muttered.

"But it's been happening less." Vanilla hugged her daughter.

"That is a sign of hope." N-I-C-O-L-E added.

"So, what's the plan, hun?" Rouge, and soon the others, looked to Sally.

"Well...." The chipmunk swallowed and observed a blue hedgehog standing atop the plane- watching the ocean.

Knothole was gone. She had lost it once. But him? He had lost it twice. And she couldn't see him wearing that aged puffer-coat either.

Every time they gained a victory- Eggman gleefully took it right back.

They had once ran him out of Mobotropolis. But he quickly showed them it was futile to do anything against him. He tore the place apart, forced them to escape and rebuilt it into Robotropolis.

They started to take down his camps, but he began kidnapping and using Flickies (Chaos, they needed to save those poor animals too) to power his smaller machines.

Sonic had helped some of the little animals, but Eggman took more and soon duplicated the hedgehogs DNA- creating a terrifying Badnik copy.

Then they chose to infiltrate Robotnik's grandest factory to date. They had saved the mobians from within, but Sonic was almost lost and made out as a criminal.

Then today. Knothole was lost. Burned to nothing just like before. Just like Mobotropolis. She had lost everything that day.

Would she lose it again?

The world spun and her stomach burned. Her throat felt tight and her heart thundered in her chest.

"Sally." N-I-C-O-L-E took her hands, gaining her focus.

"I-I'm sorry. I don't...." Her vision blurred. "I don't know."

"That's alright. We'll figure it out together."

"Exactly!" Amy, literally, jumped in. "You may be the leader here, but it's okay to ask your team for help. It's not like you're the only Freedom Fighter around." She wagged a finger and winked.

Sally cracked a smile with a chuckle. "Thank you. Both of you. I suppose I've been a bit...harsh on you, Amy."

"Harsh on Amy?" Vanilla squeezed her shoulder. "Perhaps. But you also put an unbelievable amount of pressure on yourself too, dear. Your expectations are indescribably high. But they're much more easier to reach when you're not alone."

"I-...I suppose so. Thank-."

Behind, the rumbling of a car pulled closer until a dented green vehicle lightly bumped against the pavements curb. Three mobians tumbled out and made their way to the group- looking equally as tired and beaten.

"You guys okay?" Rotor asked.

"Been better." Vector admitted.

"But we're together now. That's something." Charmy smiled.

"Most importantly, we're safe." Espio noted.

"How's he doing?" The crocodile whispered to Vanilla, looking towards Antoine.

"His eye was heavily scratched by a Badnik. I'm not sure he'll gain his full sight there."

"Poor kid. We should get him inside."

Vanilla hummed and clapped, gaining the groups attention. "Right. We should move to the Chaotix's agency. Have some food whilst we come up with a plan."

Knuckles punched his namesakes together. "I like that."

Charles watched the FF's gather, poked Tails' shoulder and pointed towards his nephew. Slowly, they approached and the uncle knocked on the side of the Tornado. Simultaneously, Bunnie's ears raised and with Vanilla and Cream she looked towards the ocean.

"Sonny? You alright there?"

Sonic only pointed ahead.

The pair followed and narrowed their eyes in focus. Their ears twitched and they hardly acknowledged the group join them. Amy gasped and in the far distance, thick grey smoke slithered towards the sky.

"Chaos...what is that?!" Sally's ears strained from remote booms.

Rotor paled. "That's...Prison Island."

"Lak' the-?" Bunnie began, but was drowned out from an almost deafening thud.

High in the sky, a silhouette rushed by the clouds and landed with a ferocious crash in the sea. Waves burst from it and rumbled for miles. The clouds began to darken, it started to rain and the sun had long set.

"Oh dear...." Vanilla gulped, hugging Cream close.

Amy immediately looked to the red echidna standing at her side. She had seen him smile, frown, snark and yell. But never had she witnessed such a ghostly appearance. His eyes were shrunken and glossy. A vein was visible on his forehead and his fists squeezed the paths rail so tightly it bent and flattened. His legs shook and it was apparent he was using everything he had to stand.

"Knuckie?" Rouge watched in both nervousness and concern.

"That...I wasn't...it...that's not meant to happen." Knuckles croaked.

"Angel Island has...fallen."

———

"What do you mean it's the whole island? That's ridiculous. Explosives? Are you sure? How...how many casualties? Well, can you estimate? Chaos. Hundreds? A-and- it's all been lost? Lost or unreachable. Right. I can't. You'll have to fly out there with someone else. Yes. Okay. Call me if there's any updates. Yes, I'll do the same." Rouge removed her blue headset and plopped onto the desks chair, massaging her temple.

"So?" Sally asked, pacing at the desks other side.

"Pretty much all of Prison Island is gone. They can't get to what's there- it's too dangerous or toxic. Or it's drowned or there's just...nothing left."

"And...the staff?"

"Towers thinks it could be hundreds."

"Sweet Gaia...I'm so sorry, Rouge."

"Well, i-it wasn't my home...." The bat pointedly looked to Knuckles, who watched out the window.

"Yeah. First Knothole. Now Angel Island. It's all so...much."

"Eggman took his shot. G.U.N took most of it's focus off Angel Island to look for, well, Sonic. And we were distracted with Snively and Shadow."

"I hate to interrupt." Charles approached the pair. "But this means Eggman has the Master Emerald."

"And Shadow." Rotor added from the rather firm sofa. "Together, that makes for a very dangerous combination."

"What on Mobius could he be aiming towards?"

"Well we know tha', Suga'. His Empire." Bunnie turned from helping Amy bandage over Antoine's eye.

"Well yeah. But how is this going to help him get there?"

"We did some investigatin' when you and Sonic talked to Towers." Vector, leaning against the archway, informed.

Sally whipped around. "And?"

"We started looking at Angel Island. But Gun was highly secretive about their scheduling and such." Espio replied. "So, we switched to Gerald's diary- opting to decipher it."

"He didn't sound the...sanest." Charmy, beside Rotor, added.

"Either way, the Professor mentioned he was approached by Gun themselves to create a medical program for immortality. Obviously we know he found that with Shadow. He did so on 'The Space Colony Ark'-."

"I remember reading that." Rouge hummed.

"What is it?" Cream asked.

"Well, from the name, obviously it came from space-."

"Came from?" Rotor wondered.

"It was rumoured to have crashed and landed somewhere in the deepest of oceans on Mobius." Rouge explained.

"It was this spacecraft- somewhere for Gerald and a bunch of Professors to work on the program. Gerald actually designed it himself." Vector enlightened.

"Sounds like something Eggman would be interested in." Sally leaned against the desk.

"So, what do we do?" Amy asked.

"I...I need a mi-." Sally's eyes danced around the room. "Where's Sonic and Tails?"

Vanilla, chilli dogs in hand, replied, "Out on the Tornado, dear."

———

She had ventured to the plane with Chuck. As quietly as possible they stopped close by to see the brothers sat on the top wing. Only Tails' voice could be heard.

"He's been quiet since Knothole." Chuck whispered.

"He...tends to be."

"What do you mean?"

Sally chewed her lip. "Sometimes Sonic just...goes a bit mute. If he's overwhelmed or unable to process something or...he told me once it feels like, sometimes, if he tries to speak he'll just end up screaming."

"I didn't...." Chuck looked back at his nephew. He couldn't find anything to say, but his heart hurt all the more.

But then Tails took his brother's hands, squeezed and eventually got a response. Too quiet to hear. Short, but something. A moment more and the hedgehog tossed a brown bag from the passenger's seat to the fox prior to the pair climbing down. Tails smiled when he noticed Charles and Sally and lightly elbowed the speedster, who tensed.

"Hey." He rather awkwardly greeted.

"How are you?" Sally instantly asked, hurrying to take his hands.

A shrug. "Better."

"So-."

"You've got my full attention now, Sal'. Sorry you didn't before."

"We'll meet you guys at the agency." Tails smiled and headed to with Chuck.

"Did you tell him?" The Princess questioned.

"Tell who what?"

"Tell Tails. About, well, everything."

"Ah." Sonic slowly nodded and distanced himself. "No. I kinda...lost it a bit back at Knothole and, er, he asked me about it."

"Oh. Are you-?"

"I'm fine." He looked down at his chest. "But I lost it, Sal. Shadow- he...he ruined it. That...that was all I had."

"You still have this." The Princess lifted his left hand to show a silver and green orbed bracelet.

"Right. I guess. Yeah."

"It's okay to be sad, though."

A snort. "Pshht. I ain't sad."

Sally frowned. "Son-."

An eye twitch. "L-look." His head dropped. "I can't...let's just focus on kicking Eggman's butt, okay?"

"Are-?"

Green eyes- pale as ever and pleading bore into hers. "Please."

"I- okay. Okay, Sonic."

"We got a plan?"

"Not...quite. Th-that's kinda why I came looking for you."

Briefly, he looked surprised. But Sonic pushed on a grin, took her arm and began walking towards The Chaotix's agency.

"Always here, Sal'. Let's crack some ideas." His eye-ridges wiggled.

Sally groaned. "Seriously?"

Sonic's arms stretched out in protest. "C'mon! That was a decent one!"

"Ha! Oh sure! Puns!"

He rambled in defence. His hands flailed. His eyes, vibrant, almost shone. Even as it rained, he lit her heart and uplifted her spirit.

Eggman may have won today. He may have won many times before. But there was always tomorrow. She and her friends always came out the other end alive. As long as they did, the fight was far from over.

And as long as Sonic kept smiling, Sally knew one of their victories would be their last.

———

"You're back!" Amy beamed, trapping Sonic in one of her tight embraces.

"And with a plan." Sally smirked, ignoring her partners reaching hand.

"Great!" Rotor smiled. "Lay it on us."

Sonic gasped once free, letting Amy snuggle his arm, and rubbed his nose. "Sally caught me up with what you guys talked about in here. Kinda obvious but, we're gonna head to The Ark."

"Seriously?" Rouge questioned.

"Eggman's most likely there- and he has the Master Emerald so we know it can't be anything good. He took Knothole from us- we can't let him take all of Mobius too." Sally looked to Rotor and Tails. "I need you guys to find The Ark's location. Finding Eggman's gotta be a good start."

"Right!"

"Rouge, can you call Towers? We could do with him being aware in case we need him."

"Of course, hun."

"Uncle Chuck, could you stay here and look after Vanilla, Cream and The Chaotix?"

"You can count on me."

Vector stepped forward. "We can help, Princess."

"I know, but this time I want to make sure you guys are safe. Don't worry- you'll get a chance to fight."

"Mighty and Ray were on Angel Island." Knuckles cut in.

Sally rested a hand on the echidna's tense shoulder. "I know. Bunnie, Antoine, Rotor and Nic' will track them down whilst you and Rouge find the Master Emerald."

"And what will you do?"

"Me, Sonic, Tails and Amy will find Eggman, Snively and Shadow. We'll have our Comlinks so find us and come help us when you all can."

Sonic waved his wrist. "Actually, mine broke."

Tails hopped up and clicked it off. "I'll fix it in no time."

"Thanks. Also, um, hate to be a pain and all but you said it was in the sea right?"

"Huh uh."

Sonic nervously chuckled. "Lovin' the plan. Really. But, that includes water. How the heck are we gonna get there?"

———

At the docks, his legs wobbled as he watched a red, blue and white submarine bobble in the water. He leaned against a post and held it tightly.

"Didn't know the Tornado could do that."

"I gave it a few upgrades." Tails smirked.

"So...we're gonna be in the water?"

"That's...kinda what a submarine does, yeah."

"What if there's a hole? What if the water gets through a gap?"

"Mr Tails built it! There's no one better to trust!" Cream assured.

"What if the walls bend in or somethin'?"

Amy swallowed a giggle. "That's not going to happen."

"If the world wasn't in danger I swear...." Sonic grumbled and climbed down by the small door on the top.

Chuck, Vanilla, Cream and The Chaotix watched the group go in after the other. Tails saluted and shut the door after him and soon the submarine rumbled to life. Those on the dock waved and called as the vehicle descended and began it's long voyage.

"So, how much trouble are they in?" Vector gulped.

"They're facing the 'Ultimate Lifeform', most likely a Badnik army, Snively and Eggman- who has the Master Emerald. The odds aren't exactly in their favour." Espio replied.

"They'll be okay." Chuck assured. "They'll...they can do this."

———

"So, where's that telling you to go?" Sally, stood behind and between the two helm seats- hands on the backs, asked.

"The Tails Electric says, Eggman at least, is pretty much right in the middle of the Great Mobocean." Tails informed.

"Really?"

"Well, through Nicole's nanotech' we can track Eggman's Eggmobile. He's rarely without it so...this is the best guess we have."

"That's fantastic, Tails. Well done. Both of you."

"How long will this be?" Knuckles wondered.

"A couple of hours." Rotor replied.

"And how much time do we have?" Amy bit her lip, hands faintly radiating a pink warmth.

"If Eggman's there- much less than a couple of hours."

"I'm trying my best!" Sonic huffed.

In the back of the submarine, he pushed himself to a sweat on a bike elevated by a low stage. His legs were red blurs and Bunnie held a couple of chilli dogs at the ready.

"Huh." Knuckles approached his close friend. "Even though you're only helping the submarine- I thought we'd be quicker. You know, seeing as you're the 'Fastest Thing Alive' and all."

"You...wanna try?"

"My strength won't help much with this. Gotta say, I'm probably stronger than you are fast-."

The lights flickered and the red guardian watched the incredibly tense muscles crawling up Sonic's arms. Blue static very briefly sparked off his blurred legs and his teeth pushed against each other.

"That definitely worked! We might actually get there in time!" Rotor enlightened.

"I want to help." Antoine slowly approached Knuckles' side with a grin.

"Fun." Sonic pouted.

Sally turned to the group. "We really are approaching. Now, none of us know what to really expect- but we can do this. Remember, we're here to get the Master Emerald, Mighty and Ray. This isn't about stopping Eggman and Snively once and for all. Not today. We just gotta make sure neither of them manage to succeed. Taking the Master Emerald should do that."

"My favourite pastime." Rouge saluted with a wink.

"Alright, Freedom Fighters! Let's do it to it!"

—————

There was a constant buzzing. The lights either flickered or didn't illuminate at all. There was an occasional groaning and whining. Wires snaked down from the broken ceiling and the floor held hazardous, uplifted sheets of metal. The walls were mouldy, bumpy and the entire space reeked of acrid and fetid.

Abandoned, clearly. But there was an eeriness in an oddly familiar way.

Turning a corner and flashing red lights briefly blinded him. There were yells and stomps from behind and he could hear himself panting.

Then a hand gripped his shoulder and he whirled, inhibitors glowing and fists raised.

"I had a suspicion you'd be on edge here, Shadow."

The dark hedgehog forced himself to relax. "I'll be fine."

Red and black eyes behind blue goggles observed him longer than wanted, but with a hum the emperor continued on his way. Motobugs slowly rolled with the Master Emerald sitting atop them- Eggpawns surrounded it to ensure it wouldn't fall. Bee-bots and Obliteratorbot's pursued after. Metal Sonic, pushing Snively and Omega along, completed the small army. Shadow glanced behind him, ear twitching at a distant rumble, prior to trailing after the metal gathering.

"Doctor, may I ask something?"

"Depends. Will it get me to my victory?"

Mindlessly, the dark hedgehog squeezed the locket over his chest. "It'll help pass the time."

"Don't give me that snark."

"Then tell me, if The Ark was in Space- how'd it get here?"

"Long story."

"Summarise it."

Eggman seethed and stopped before a pair of slightly open, angled doors. "We've arrived."

Shadow watched the man snap his fingers and stand aside, allowing an Obliteratorbot to attempt in pulling the door apart. "I deserve to know."

"You sound entitled."

"I am with this."

"It won't get you far."

"Keeping me in the dark will do the same for you."

An eye twitch. "What's there to know? My grandfather, at a request, created you. An immortal hedgehog. A powerful weapon and tool for greatness. G.U.N deemed that all traces of you should be hidden, due to their fear and cowardliness. They arrived on The Ark, hunted you down and in the process killed everyone else there. Gerald and Maria gave you the purpose of avenging them. You were sent to Mobius from a Cryopod and fifty years later found by me. There is nothing else."

Shadow's ears ever so briefly lowered, but were twitching once more when the Obliteratorbot managed to pry the doors completely open. Robotnik waved him over and together the paired entered. Like the rest of The Ark, it reeked and was damp and dark and groaned. They traversed across a metal bridge reaching towards a vast, circular device in the centre of the room.

There was a void beneath them, but a Badnik behind curiously kicked at some rubble and revealed the empty space was filled with water. Ahead, the device blinked in green and yellow lights and resembled a heftier, grander Robotisizer. Eggman ascended the stairs and lightly tugged on some loose wires, marvelling at the creation.

"Perfect place to hold the Master Emerald, hmm?"

"Keep your hands off my emerald!"

Thunderous anger raged through the emperor instantly- evident in his shaking. He whirled and practically foamed at the mouth upon seeing the dreaded, insufferable Freedom Fighters. Less than expected, being six, but unwanted all the same.

The Badniks readied themselves and Shadow closed a hand around his inhibitor ring, prepared to snap it off. Metal Sonic stretched his claws and Omega's hands disappeared- showcasing very large firearms.

"How'd you get here?!" Robotnik stomped.

Sonic, leading the group at Sally's side, flicked his nose. "Pretty easy when you broke your way through here. We just followed."

"Puny, idiot rat! The six of you can't do anything against me! Badniks, keep them off my emerald!"

"Sonic, be sure the emerald doesn't reach that container! We'll cover you!"

Robotnik observed the blue pest leap over a collective of his machines, barrelling through more in a spiky sphere before meeting his gaze with a blazing fury so eruptive he found himself hurrying towards the large monitor. The Badniks opted for speed over care and recklessly began shoving the Master Emerald towards the towering cylinder.

Shadow surveyed Snively scramble away, Amy and Sally go back to back as they fended off upcoming Badniks, Knuckles barrel through a gathering of machines and Tails and Rouge attack from above. Something wasn't right. Sonic was a moron, sure, but Sally was a much smarter leader than this. She wouldn't lead her group into battle with just six of them. Evidently as they clearly started to struggle against the army. Their room for fighting tightened, Sonic weaved and whipped but the Master Emerald crept ever closer- thus Eggman begun preparing the colossal cylinder.

A flash of blue zipped by him, but effortlessly he reached and pulled on a steel leg. Determined, red optics almost glared at him for his disruption.

"Check The Ark. Check our aircraft and the captives inside. Make sure no one else is here."

A nod and Metal Sonic blasted off with a sonic boom.

———

Eggman's vehicle was smaller than expected. A slim Sword-Ship. The colours clearly radiated the themes of his empire, so Bunnie darted towards it's back entrance and shot her Robotisized leg straight through the steel. Her limb retracted, she shook herself off and returned to Antoine's side. Rotor and N-I-C-O-L-E took the lead, cautiously observing the many glass cylinders on it's sides.

"Ya'll don't think...." The rabbit gulped.

Antoine rubbed her hand for comfort. "Don't worry, Madame. I am zure zey're-."

"Hey!"

Rotor spun to his left and gasped upon an armadillo and flying squirrel banging against the glass of two Robotisizers. He hurried over.

"It's okay! We're here with Sonic, Tails and Knuckles! We'll get you out!"

"You can't let Eggman put the Master Emerald in the Central Room's Container!"

"We know." N-I-C-O-L-E replied as Bunnie readied herself.

"I need ya'll to brace yourselves."

The pair hid behind their hands, crouched and nervously looked away, flinching when a fist crashed into one and a foot into another. Bunnie and Rotor helped the pair out and dusted off any shards of glass.

"Okay, let's-."

"Friendz." Antoine squeaked, pointing to the broken in exit.

Red optics glowered and claws slowly squeezed onto the edges of the hole. A cold, determined face flickered from broken wires' sparks and a jet rumbled. N-I-C-O-L-E spread her hands and summoned an array of Nanites.

"Run."

Her friends didn't hesitate. They weaved and ducked passed a barrelling Metal Sonic and stumbled out the aircraft. They charged down corridors, slipped by corners and skidded to a pair of broken, albeit open, doors. They peered in, were blinded by an almost golden flash, prior to joining Sally's and Amy's side.

"You got them!" The former cheered.

"Ready to help, Princess!" Mighty shoved a fist towards a stampeding Eggpawn.

"Sonic's up ahead to-!"

Flailing blue limbs dashed overhead and the Blue Blur crashed into a group of Badniks like Bowling Pins.

"Oh no!" Rouge whirled towards the large cylinder.

Eggman watched his robotic minions give the final push, thickly inhaling when the Master Emerald tumbled into the gap. An eerie silence smothered the room and a flashing green light swept over the frozen group. Neon lime slithered up the cylinder and circled the monitors, forcing the screens to spark and flicker.

Amy's shoulders slumped. "We were too late?"

And then a deafening red alarm thundered through the entire Space Colony Ark.

"What's happening?!" Knuckles demanded.

"Look!" Rotor pointed towards the monitors where an aged man, disheveled and bound to a chair by metal chains sat.

"That room looks familiar." Sonic stumbled to his friends, eyeing vaguely recalled scribbles.

Eggman, wide eyed, staggered back. "That's...that's my grandfather! Gerald Robotnik!"

Far away, in the quiet city of Station Square, people teetered out of their beds as their televisions and radios boomed on. A man, trapped in a chair, watched the ground on all.

In Windmill Village, the same occurrence. The fear and confusion spread to Westopolis, Soleanna, Mazuri. The man forced his way onto black television screens in Priscilla and Megapolis and Chun-nan, reaching islands like Cocoa and Bygone.

Rouge jumped from her headset blaring under the deafening alarm. "What? Holy Chaos...."

"What?" Amy almost demanded.

"Towers said it's broadcasting everywhere."

"Eggman!" Sonic yelled. "What did-?!"

"This is a death sentence for every living being on Mobius. If I'm correct, the Eclipse Nuke will target Mobius in twenty two minutes, detonating on impact and destroying you all along with your precious little planet."

Green lightning shot off the Master Emerald, dancing around the room as it rumbled and radiated red with increasing heat. Smoke distantly began to creep through desolate, dark halls. The screen became far more glitchy and disconnected.

"This is m-my revenge, utilising all.... Soon, this program cannot b-be stopped. All of you selfish, arroga-ant creatures who t-took everything from me...will feel m-my loss and despair!"

A voice, off-screen, asked, "Is there anything else you wish to say?"

"No...."

"Ready! Three...two...o-!"

"What in Chaos was that?!" Amy cried.

Rotor stumbled from The Ark beginning to tremble. "I-it's getting worse!"

"My grandfather's final wish. His revenge on all." Eggman dug in his breast pocket and pulled out a small drive, delivering it to Tails.

The fox slipped it into the side of the lowest monitor, eyes widening from countless words zooming down the screen. They flickered, whirred and eventually slowed to a readable pace.

"I deciphered my grandfather's diary. In it's entirety." Eggman flaunted.

Tails cleared his throat. "Was it all a mistake, creating the Ultimate Lifeform? I don't know how it all went so wrong. I thought it could be beneficial...but the military guards arrived to destroy my research project."

The fox's voice bled into Gerald Robotnik's. "The Ark was shut down completely, most likely to keep the project out of reach. It was stated there was an accident, but I discovered my coworkers' and Maria's name- all declared deceased. The idea that she died because of my research did more than kill me. I had to avenge her. I designed Project Shadow's mind to be perfect, pure...so I leave everything to him. Upon your wish, release him. Fill the world with destruction...."

"The centre of the Eclipse Nuke is almost at the irreversible stage! At that point, it won't matter if we remove the Master Emerald- it will have enough energy to detonate anyhow!" Eggman informed.

"We have tah stop it!" Bunnie demanded.

Sally bounded up the stairs, pulling out N-I-C-O-L-E's small device. "Nic'! Can you do something to stop this?!"

The holo-Lynx appeared at her side, struggling for breath. "I'm afraid not, Sally. The Master Emerald in this state will tear through my Nanites like paper."

"There has to be a way to override Gerald's command!" Tails, in a panic, swiftly glanced over the keyboard.

"There might've been. If we were faster. Look." Eggman pointed to the highest screen where a loading bar reached it's conclusion.

Knuckles stormed up the stairs as green lightning leaped around the room. "The Master Emerald is full of limitless power! Destroying it might minimise the Nuke's damage if we can't stop it!"

"Hold on, destroy it?" Amy echoed.

"Yes. The Master Emerald, obviously, won't work if it's in pieces."

"But what about ze Angel Island?" Antoine asked.

"Won't matter if the nuke goes off."

"You do that, I'm gonna find this Nuke and shut it down!" Sonic declared.

Sally scoffed. "You're not running off like that again."

"We don't have time for this."

"I-!"

"Sorry." A bounce, peck on the head, salute and in a blue trail he was gone.

"Don't worry, Sally. I know just the guy who can help him!" Amy squeezed the Princess' hands prior to taking off.

———

Her ears were flat. The alarm was excruciating and blinding, but she didn't have time to complain. She needed to do her part just like everyone else. She barrelled down some stairs, bounced around corners and stumbled upon rushing by a still black and red hedgehog. She backed up and peered in. A large, empty, damaged space with nothing but a window looking out into the pitch black ocean. Almost like Space. Evidently a viewing bay of some kind.

She didn't hesitate to rush to his side, whirling him around by the arm. "Shadow! You've gotta help us! We need you!"

Briefly disoriented, the dark hedgehog stiffened in regained focus. "It's all going to plan. Why help them when this is my purpose? There's no reason to."

"There's always a reason. I know people fight. I know people are greedy and selfish. But when they try their best and never give up- they're basically good! We can't strip away their chances of redemption! There's always a reason to be happy, at the least positive! That's why you should help them! Saving them is a good thing- please! I beg of you Shadow, give them a chance!"

Red eyes widened and shrank. A blonde girl with greyed out eyes stood over him, hands shaking his shoulders.

—————

"Shadow! Wake up!"

"Few more minutes...."

"No! C'mon! I want to show you something!"

He shifts and suddenly he's creeping down a corridor, being led by his hand through the dark Ark.

"If we get caught, we'll-."

"We won't." The girl looks over her shoulder, a mischievous grin painted on her frail face.

"One of these times, we won't be so lucky, Maria."

"That's why we should do this whilst we are." The girl slips a card from her hospital gown's sleeve, briefly showing her grandfather's face, and slides it through the reader.

The doors smoothly slide open and Shadow finds himself standing beside the bouncing girl. A spectacular planet rotates below, looking more peaceful and tempting everyday. Mobius.

"Do you think we'll live there someday?" She asks.

"I'd like to."

"It'd be so fun! Me and you together forever!"

Shadow smiles and lets her take his hand. He looks but now he's running through a winding corridor with bangs, pants and flashing red alarms.

"Don't let them escape!"

"Shadow!" Maria sobs, stumbling.

He tugs on her arm, keeping her moving. "We'll be okay! Everything's okay! We'll be-."

Bang!

And she's on the floor, squeezing a lever tighter than anything before. Blood pools beneath her and slides down her mouth, mixing with her salty tears. Still, she wears a pretty smile- opposing her distraught eyes.

"Shadow...I beg of you...please. Do it for me...for a better future...."

He bangs on the glass, choking on nothing as tears soak his muzzle. "Maria!"

"Give all the people on Mobius a chance to be happy. Let them learn and redeem themselves. Shadow, I know you can do this. This is why you're here. Sayonara...Shadow the Hedgehog."

—————

He stumbled and a girl just as forgiving and kind grabbed his hands. "That's...my promise to her. I need to keep it for her."

He grimaced and stepped away, giving a weak sob as a tear escaped.

Amy reached. "Shadow?"

"I need to leave now. I shall keep my promise to Maria." He gave the smallest of smiles. "And you."

He blasted off before she could say otherwise.

Her Comlink beeped immediately, showing Sally's symbol.

"Amy?"

"I-it's okay. Shadow's gonna help us!"

"Wow! Well done! That's- well, Knuckles broke the Master Emerald here."

Amy took a deep inhale. "So it's just down to Sonic and Shadow now."